At one point in last night's Charlie Mack Celebrity Basketball Game, Elton Brand walked onto the Liacouras Center floor as if he might play a possession or two.
Brand was, predictably, pulled back to the bench.

Mack, a film producer and promoter, said before the game that Brand needed to be "preserved."

Preserved for his new role as the 76ers' power forward. On Wednesday, the Sixers signed Brand, a two-time all-star, to a five-year deal worth a reported $80 million.

The charity game represented Brand's first step into the Philadelphia community. He was in uniform but did not play.

With the free-agent addition of Brand, the focus for the 76ers is retaining two key players: guard-forward Andre Iguodala and guard Louis Williams.

Both are restricted free agents, meaning the Sixers have the right to match any offer made to either player.

Last night, Brand said he has been assured by management that it will, indeed, match any offer made to Iguodala.

Iguodala averaged 19.9 points per game last season, predominantly playing small forward. Last summer, he passed on the Sixers' $57 million extension offer, rolling the dice that his 2007-08 season would increase his value.

Although no formal offers have been made to Iguodala, he is considered one of the best available restricted free agents.

"That's a guy we have to have," said Brand, who repeated: "Management has let me know they'll match any offer."

Brand said he has worked out with Williams. The two did not specifically discuss the guard's status, but Brand said he expects him to be back.

Williams is a three-year veteran who came off the bench last season and averaged 11.5 points per game.

Yesterday's 12th annual charity game featured current and former NBA players, including former Temple star Lynn Greer, former Villanova player Kyle Lowry (now with the Memphis Grizzlies) and Strawberry Mansion legend Maureece Rice.

Mack organized the game, which coincides with a weekend of events and aims to raise awareness about the city's destructive rate of violence.

Mack said Brand "hit the ground running."

"Right away, he wanted to know where the troubled areas are in the city," the promoter said. "This event isn't about the basketball, it's about the interaction. Kids can see up close and personal people of [Brand's] stature. That gives them hope."

ive been hearing that the highest the clippers will go is 5 years 60 mil, we will probably match. i dont know about lou williams situation though and the attention he will get from other teams, probably not much.

ive been hearing that the highest the clippers will go is 5 years 60 mil, we will probably match. i dont know about lou williams situation though and the attention he will get from other teams, probably not much.